Working with multiple large sets of SPI devices

Projects General Guidance
1

I am attempting a project with many interchangeable modules (11+), some of which use both i2c and SPI devices (screens, drivers, sensors) on them. I want to connect all of them together into a central bus that doesn't require specific addresses, so SPI was my plan, but as some of the devices must also connect to their own client SPI devices, I can't figure out the best way to do this. Is there a way for an Arduino (specifically I am using ESP-32 [Node-32s] modules) to act as both a slave and master device?

I know I could technically use two and have them communicate to each other over i2c, but that seems like it should be unnecessary. I also thought about having the main master controller control all SPI devices, but it must be able to quickly react to inputs and timers, so this seems like a bad idea. Any recommendations?

Thanks!

[The project for anyone interested is a physical recreation of the game Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, which requires 12 device slots and additional interchangeable widgets to all communicate and work together.]

2

Toss in 12 processors, 11 run your devices and one orchestrates the rest. Then you can roll your own communication between the processors.

-jim lee

3

Syber-Space:
Is there a way for an Arduino (specifically I am using ESP-32 [Node-32s] modules) to act as both a slave and master device?

I think it only works as as master node. You can't make it a slave SPI.